Where can a food worker wash her hands?

• Handwashing is one of the most effective food safety practices that can help reduce the occurrence of foodborne illnesses in a food establishment.
• Hand hygiene is a basic food safety requirement in a food establishment and must be observed at all times.
• Food workers with dirty hands can significantly contaminate a food service area and spread pathogenic microorganisms around.

One of the fastest ways of spreading contamination in any kitchen is through a food handler's hand. Unclean hands can unknowingly transfer pathogens from one place to another and then become the source of a foodborne illness outbreak. A very slight contact of unclean hands with a clean utensil can contaminate the utensil and cause indirect cross-contamination in food.

In fact, there are several infections, foodborne and not, that can be transmitted when proper handwashing is not followed. Every food business must require proper and frequent handwashing for their foodservice employees as part of their approach to food safety, but where can a food worker wash her hands?

Handwashing is a basic part of food hygiene. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentioned that proper handwashing can reduce up to 50% of known diarrheal cases and even deaths from foodborne illnesses.

To fulfill the intended objectives of handwashing, food handlers must be aware of how and when to properly do it. Food handlers must also learn about the basic principles behind the operation. Of course, an additional minimum requirement for handwashing is to provide areas for it.

Want to learn more? Read this article we have prepared to share the knowledge with food handlers and food business managers about the importance and essential pointers for hand washing.

Why is it important that the food workers wash their hands?

Handwashing is a simple solution and the key to avoiding the spread of foodborne illness-causing pathogens in a food establishment. Many reports have already proven that proper handwashing significantly reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. In fact, the CDC has put so much value on this operation that they estimated that at least 1 million deaths per year can be prevented if everyone washed their hands routinely. It is the best defense against food contamination.

Food workers are known as one of the main carriers of harmful pathogens. Not only can they transmit harmful bacteria from one point to another, but they are also sources of these pathogens. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, a known potent pathogen are considered an indicator of poor food hygiene and naturally live on different human body parts – mostly the skin. 

Food handlers hold more than the foods that they prepare. Every food handler also touches food contact surfaces, doors, utensils, aprons, and other objects at different given times in a shift. As part of food hygiene practices, food handlers are required to wash their hands before, during, and after food service. 

You can help your team remember important food hygiene tasks such as handwashing and sanitizing contact surfaces with the help of our digital solution at FoodDocs. We have built a comprehensive digital Food Safety Management System software that can help you maintain compliance at all times. Find out more at the end of this article.

What is the correct order of steps for handwashing? 

Handwashing, although a seemingly easy task, requires proper execution to be effective. Pathogens can work their way underneath the nails of food handlers as well as in between fingers and the wrist. A food establishment must supply warm running water for handwashing. Additionally, handwashing tools such as a brush, soap, and disposable towels. As such, certain steps are recommended to ensure that this operation is effective.

6 Steps of handwashing for food handlers

Although there are more related steps to handwashing, 6 steps of handwashing for food handlers are well-emphasized in any food establishment:

• Step 1: Wet hands with warm water.
• Step 2: Apply soap.
• Step 3: Lather well with soap.
• Step 4: Rinse the soap well using warm water.
• Step 5: Dry hands.
• Step 6: Keep hands clean.

After washing their hands, food workers are expected to handle any raw and cooked or ready-to-eat food. Touching anything else in between may increase the risk of cross-contamination. Handwashing must always be paired with regular and correct practices for cleaning utensils, equipment, and food contact surfaces. With both operations regularly executed, the risk of causing contamination to food that could lead to foodborne illnesses is significantly reduced.

How to wash hands correctly?

We've mentioned the 6 basic handwashing steps. In addition to these basic steps, there are more specific tasks that must be done to ensure that handwashing is effective. When washing your hands, all corners must be lathered with soap. When necessary, you can also use a soft brush to dislodge dirt. A brush can be necessary when food workers are handling ingredients that stick to their hands such as flour when kneading dough.

Specifically, we encourage you to wash your hands using these easy steps:

• Step 1: Rinse hands with water.
• Step 2: Lather hands with soap.
• Step 3: Rub hands palm to palm.
• Step 4: Rub back of hands.
• Step 5: Rub fingers while interlaced.
• Step 6: Rub the base of the thumbs.
• Step 7: Rub fingernails (Note: you can use a brush with soft bristles.)
• Step 8: Wash wrists.
• Step 9: Rinse hand well.
• Step 10: Dry hands with a clean towel or tissue.
• Step 11: Turn off the faucet using a disposable paper towel.

Notice in this set of handwashing routines that all corners of the hands are rubbed with soap and washed. Microorganisms can work their way around and grow underneath the nails of food handlers. In addition, some people forget to include the wrists when washing their hands. These areas are all significant points where pathogens can stay and potentially recontaminate the hands. 

Additionally, take note that food handlers must only use a clean towel or tissue to dry their hands. Using a hand drier increases the risk of recontaminating the hands of food handlers. They must also avoid touching the faucet with their recently cleaned hands, rather use a clean paper towel to ensure that the hands would not get any pathogens from the faucet.

To help your team remember every step for proper handwashing, use one of our food safety posters at FoodDocs. 

Downloadable handwashing poster from FoodDocs

How long should you wash your hands?

All food handlers must wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. This amount of time is enough to cover all areas mentioned in the previous section as well as ensure that any residual dirt is removed. Alternative to manually counting your handwashing time, the CDC recommends silently singing the song "Happy Birthday" twice in your head. This set of songs is long enough to cover the whole handwashing process. 

When should food handlers wash their hands?

Frequent handwashing can help food handlers minimize the risk of causing foodborne illnesses, but when is it really necessary to wash your hands? Generally, food handlers must wash their hands after handling anything besides the food they are preparing. Handling anything, even a pen or wiping your hand on your apron can contaminate a food handler's hand.

Specifically, here are some common scenarios that will require you to wash your hands:

• Before starting the work shift
• Before and after handling raw meat, eggs, and any ready-to-eat food.
• Before putting on disposable gloves.
• After using the restroom.
• Handling any chemicals (e.g. additives and cleaning agents)
• After sneezing or coughing.
• After touching your skin, hair, or your apron.
• After handling garbage/ waste.
• After removing gloves.
• After eating, drinking, or smoking.
• After handling dirty equipment.
• After cleaning.

Common scenarios that require handwashing 

Handwashing is a basic part of food hygiene and is required to be performed regularly. To achieve this, every food safety team's food safety management system must be effective and constantly working for your team. FoodDocs offers a smart, digital solution for this. Our digital Food Safety Management System (FSMS) is powered by artificial intelligence that can significantly help your team become efficient by implementing an intuitive notification system. With this feature, food handlers are alerted of any food safety task that needs to be done. Learn more about our digital FSMS as you read through this article.

If you thought that Google knows everything...

Common handwashing sink regulations 

The FDA Food Code 2017 provides several regulations regarding handwashing and related operations. As per the Food Code, all food handlers are required to wash their hands on a sink that is dedicated to handwashing only. Other sinks may be present in a kitchen area such as for janitorial operations, food preparation, and handwashing.

As such, following rules on the placement, number, and required handwashing tools are provided by the FDA Food Code. Under the Food Code, handwashing regulations apply to the following:

• Hand Washing sink regulations for restaurants
• Hand Washing sink regulations for retail
• Hand Washing sink regulations for the commercial kitchen

Specifically, the FDA recommends every state in the US to adopt the following regulations:

• Food handlers must only wash their hands in dedicated handwashing sinks and never on sinks used for food preparation.
• FDA-approved handwashing soap and hand antiseptics must be provided.
• The sink, including other plumbing fixtures, must be designed to be easily cleanable.
• The handwashing sink must be able to provide water with at least a temperature of 100°F (38°C). This can be achieved using a mixing valve.
• Handwashing sinks must be provided in locations such as adjacent to restrooms at restaurants and within 25 ft of the food preparation area.
• For automatic faucets, at least 15 seconds of uninterrupted flow must be provided.
• Paper towels (individual or continuous towel systems) must be provided near the sink. Alternatively, an electric hand dryer or a hand drying device with an air-knife system can be installed.
• At least 1 handwashing sink necessary for convenient use of restaurant employees must be provided unless otherwise stated by your local health department.
• Handwashing signage must be provided in all handwashing sinks to remind food employees.
• Handwashing sinks must never be blocked by a piece of portable cleaning equipment, soiled utensils, and other obstructions.
• For temporary food establishments with limited access to a source of water and sink (e.g. food trucks), food handlers can use chemically treated wipes for handwashing.

Remember that handwashing sink regulations may vary depending on the approved food safety laws and regulations being implemented by your local authority. As such, it would be most convenient to consult them for any specific instructions such as the placement of your sink, which can significantly affect the design of your kitchen.

Where are you allowed to wash your hands?

As a general rule, food handlers are only allowed to wash their hands using a dedicated handwashing sink. These sinks must be placed conveniently near food preparation and service areas. Food handlers are not allowed to use sinks that are dedicated to preparing foods, nor sinks used for janitorial operations. Similarly, handwashing tools such as brushes, soaps, and other utilities cannot be used for other areas of the kitchen.

Where should sinks be available for food service workers?

In deciding where should handwashing sinks be located, always consult your local health authority. In the US, 1 handwashing sink is required to be located inside a food preparation area where it must be conveniently accessible for food handlers. Additionally, handwashing sinks must also be available either inside or adjacent to a toilet room.

Where should you wash food handling equipment?

Commercial or regular kitchens are required to have separate sinks for handwashing as well as for washing equipment and utensils. There are set separate food regulations for the use of a warewashing sink and utility sink.

What should food handlers use a hand basin for?

In the UK, hand basins are required for proper handwashing procedures. The UK is quite clear when it comes to regulations on hand basins. At least 1 hand basin must be available for every 25 people in the food establishment. Hand basins must be clearly designated and given proper labels for the proper identification of users. Hand basins for food preparation must never be used for other operations other than the indicated.

A digital solution for food hygiene practices

Food hygiene regulations consist of very broad topics. One of the most important food hygiene regulations would have to be handwashing. This operation must always be part of the food safety program and training provided by the food safety manager to the employees.

The hands of food workers can be some of the fastest ways to spread contamination and, therefore, must always be maintained clean. To always remind food workers to wash their hands in addition to performing many other food safety tasks, your job as a food business manager would surely drown. 

Other food safety tasks such as proper cooking, storage, regular cleaning, and an overview of your sales and progress must still be kept in place and monitored. What if there was a smart and more efficient way to take out the burden of monitoring your food safety tasks from your shoulder?

At FoodDocs, we have considered these concerns and have come up with the best solution. Using our digital Food Safety Management System, your team will never forget any food safety tasks and will always be able to do them on time with proper monitoring.

With the help of our digital solution, you can get the following features that can significantly help you maintain a high level of food hygiene:

• With the help of artificial intelligence, our system can automatically generate digital monitoring forms and checklists based on your operations. Our system can automatically provide you with a Sanitation and Cleaning Checklist that contains the most essential tasks for maintaining food hygiene. You can also get an Equipment Maintenance Log which you can use to immediately communicate issues with handwashing sinks in your establishment.

Sanitation and Cleaning Checklist in FoodDocs

• All generated monitoring forms and checklists come with detailed instructions on how to perform the task and monitor it accordingly. With this feature, you can ensure that your employees understand the step-by-step procedure of your food safety tasks. This will also help reduce the risk of inaccurately performing a food safety task.
  
  
• Our digital solution features a smart notification system that alerts food handlers whenever a food safety task needs to be done. Using this feature, your team will never forget essential cleaning and sanitizing tasks to keep your establishment safe from contamination.

To help managers improve food safety compliance efficiency and effectiveness, our digital FSMS was built with the following features:

• You can get a real-time dashboard that shows you an overview of your entire operations. Using our food safety dashboard can help save 20% of your time from supervising your team. This feature can also come in handy when identifying areas that need more attention and improvement.
  
  
• Our digital solution comes with access to a digital cloud where you can store, organize, and access all your digital documents securely.

Our digital FSMS was built to make food safety compliance accessible and easy to follow for all food businesses. The best part is that using our digital FSMS, you can get a comprehensive system in just an average of 15 minutes. Our process would only require you to answer a few basic questions about your business. After completing the questions, our system will automatically generate a digital FSMS based specifically on your food safety tasks! 

In addition to a digital FSMS, we can also help you easily generate the most important documents for food safety compliance such as your HACCP plan. With artificial intelligence and smart software, we can help you digitize all of your existing documents, including your layout plan. Our built-in customizable HACCP plan template can be used to redesign your floorplan layout. You can now easily decide where to put handwashing sinks and other necessary sanitation equipment.

Interested in experiencing our services? We offer a free, 14-day trial that you can use to explore our digital FSMS product and discover the convenience and efficiency that we provide.